Government of Cameroon, Joule Africa to jointly develop solar PV facilities

The Government of Cameroon and Joule Africa have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU), to develop 100MW of new solar PV facilities.

Under the terms of the MoU, Joule Africa and Bethel Industrievertretung (BIIL) will work together to identify up to five sites that are suitable to establish the facilities, alongside the Government of Cameroon.

The Water Resources and Energy Minister Dr Basile Atangana Kouna said: "We are delighted with the commitment Joule Africa and Bethel Industrievertretung have shown on the Kpep hydroelectric project and look forward to working with the team on this important and exciting solar PV initiative."

The new facilities will be built in phases, with the first scheduled to be commissioned as early as 2015 and full commercial operation during 2017.

Joule Africa president Mark Green said that the solar PV facilities provide an opportunity to deliver renewable generating capacity within a relatively short timeframe.

"The next few months will be devoted to site selection, after which we will conduct detailed feasibility studies, with the phased construction process due to begin during the first half of 2015," Green added.

"We remain committed to the highest standards in our execution of this project, including transparency and open communication during the development process and ensuring that we have a highly positive impact on the communities we work amongst."

In addition to increasing current generating capacity by approximately 15%, the solar project will bring Cameroon’s energy sector further capital investment of around $200m.

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Image: Government of Cameroon signs MoU with Joule Africa for development of solar PV facilities. Photo: courtesy of dan/Freedigitalphotos.net.